Venice is a city famous for both its canals and its incredible architecture. Venice started out as a cluster of islands that grew into a small fishing village in the early Middle Ages. Over time Venice transformed into one of Italy’s leading powers thanks to its vast trade network within the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Republic of Venice was established at the end of the 7th century, and at its peak, it controlled a large territory stretching from Northern Italy to other areas in modern-day Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and Cyprus. Venice peaked during the Gothic and Renaissance periods at which point the wealthy mercantile class commissioned incredible works of architecture throughout the city.